Training load influences gut microbiome of highly trained rowing athletes
Background Despite the importance of the gut microbiome on physical performance and health, little is known on the impact of training on an athlete’s gut health.Objective This study investigates the effect of training load on markers of gut health.Methods Whole stool (24 h) samples were collected fr...
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Taylor & Francis Group
2025-12-01
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| Series: | Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition |
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| Online Access: | https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/15502783.2025.2507952 |
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| author | B. Charlesson J. Jones C. Abbiss P. Peeling S. Watts C.T. Christophersen |
| author_facet | B. Charlesson J. Jones C. Abbiss P. Peeling S. Watts C.T. Christophersen |
| author_sort | B. Charlesson |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Background Despite the importance of the gut microbiome on physical performance and health, little is known on the impact of training on an athlete’s gut health.Objective This study investigates the effect of training load on markers of gut health.Methods Whole stool (24 h) samples were collected from 23 highly trained rowers (mean ± SD; age 19.2 ± 1.1 y; weight 80.1 ± 11.4 kg; height 1.83 ± 0.09 m) following periods of high (HT) and low training load (LT). The microbiome and short-chain fatty acid concentrations were characterized from the whole stool samples. Three-day weighted food records were used to determine diet quality (ADIcore), macronutrient, and fiber intakes during HT and LT.Results By design, training duration (147%) and intensity (130%) were greater during HT, compared with LT (p < 0.001). Carbohydrate, fat, protein, and fiber intake remained stable, but ADIcore was higher in HT (55 ± 10) compared with LT (49 ± 9; t(15) = 2.78, p = 0.014; CI: 1.34 to 10.155). Stool frequency (1.11 ± 0.47 vs 0.67 ± 0.76; p = 0.007) was greater in HT compared with LT, and a greater number of participants were unable to produce a stool sample during LT (8% vs 47%). Short chain fatty acid (SCFA), propionic (120.64 ± 30.06 mm vs 91.35 ± 34.91 mm; p = 0.007), and butyric acid (104.76 ± 50.02 vs 64.23 ± 22.05 mm, p = 0.003) concentrations were greater in HT compared with LT. Alpha diversity, Shannon–Wiener diversity index (3.43 ± 0.37 vs 3.67 ± 0.34, p = 0.09) was lower in HT than LT. The abundance of the dominant Bacteroidia was greater at HT compared to LT and ratio of Firmicutes to Bacteroidota (n = 16, 1.31 ± 1.19 vs 4.29 ± 3.88, t(15) = -3.44, p = 0.04, CI = -4.82 to −1.13) was lower in HT compared to LT.Conclusion Results of this study indicate that gut microbiome, SCFA concentrations, stool frequency, and diet quality vary between periods of high and low training load in athletes. The relationship between these factors and impact of such changes in gut health is currently unclear and warrants further investigation. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-151cacd7b8a84d49861a567cf7815ad4 |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 1550-2783 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-12-01 |
| publisher | Taylor & Francis Group |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition |
| spelling | doaj-art-151cacd7b8a84d49861a567cf7815ad42025-08-20T02:34:12ZengTaylor & Francis GroupJournal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition1550-27832025-12-0122110.1080/15502783.2025.2507952Training load influences gut microbiome of highly trained rowing athletesB. Charlesson0J. Jones1C. Abbiss2P. Peeling3S. Watts4C.T. Christophersen5Edith Cowan University, School of Medical and Health Science, Perth, AustraliaEdith Cowan University, School of Medical and Health Science, Perth, AustraliaEdith Cowan University, School of Medical and Health Science, Perth, AustraliaWestern Australian Institute of Sport, Perth, AustraliaWestern Australian Institute of Sport, Perth, AustraliaEdith Cowan University, School of Medical and Health Science, Perth, AustraliaBackground Despite the importance of the gut microbiome on physical performance and health, little is known on the impact of training on an athlete’s gut health.Objective This study investigates the effect of training load on markers of gut health.Methods Whole stool (24 h) samples were collected from 23 highly trained rowers (mean ± SD; age 19.2 ± 1.1 y; weight 80.1 ± 11.4 kg; height 1.83 ± 0.09 m) following periods of high (HT) and low training load (LT). The microbiome and short-chain fatty acid concentrations were characterized from the whole stool samples. Three-day weighted food records were used to determine diet quality (ADIcore), macronutrient, and fiber intakes during HT and LT.Results By design, training duration (147%) and intensity (130%) were greater during HT, compared with LT (p < 0.001). Carbohydrate, fat, protein, and fiber intake remained stable, but ADIcore was higher in HT (55 ± 10) compared with LT (49 ± 9; t(15) = 2.78, p = 0.014; CI: 1.34 to 10.155). Stool frequency (1.11 ± 0.47 vs 0.67 ± 0.76; p = 0.007) was greater in HT compared with LT, and a greater number of participants were unable to produce a stool sample during LT (8% vs 47%). Short chain fatty acid (SCFA), propionic (120.64 ± 30.06 mm vs 91.35 ± 34.91 mm; p = 0.007), and butyric acid (104.76 ± 50.02 vs 64.23 ± 22.05 mm, p = 0.003) concentrations were greater in HT compared with LT. Alpha diversity, Shannon–Wiener diversity index (3.43 ± 0.37 vs 3.67 ± 0.34, p = 0.09) was lower in HT than LT. The abundance of the dominant Bacteroidia was greater at HT compared to LT and ratio of Firmicutes to Bacteroidota (n = 16, 1.31 ± 1.19 vs 4.29 ± 3.88, t(15) = -3.44, p = 0.04, CI = -4.82 to −1.13) was lower in HT compared to LT.Conclusion Results of this study indicate that gut microbiome, SCFA concentrations, stool frequency, and diet quality vary between periods of high and low training load in athletes. The relationship between these factors and impact of such changes in gut health is currently unclear and warrants further investigation.https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/15502783.2025.2507952Gut healthexerciseshort chain fatty acidsmicrobiotatransit timediet quality |
| spellingShingle | B. Charlesson J. Jones C. Abbiss P. Peeling S. Watts C.T. Christophersen Training load influences gut microbiome of highly trained rowing athletes Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition Gut health exercise short chain fatty acids microbiota transit time diet quality |
| title | Training load influences gut microbiome of highly trained rowing athletes |
| title_full | Training load influences gut microbiome of highly trained rowing athletes |
| title_fullStr | Training load influences gut microbiome of highly trained rowing athletes |
| title_full_unstemmed | Training load influences gut microbiome of highly trained rowing athletes |
| title_short | Training load influences gut microbiome of highly trained rowing athletes |
| title_sort | training load influences gut microbiome of highly trained rowing athletes |
| topic | Gut health exercise short chain fatty acids microbiota transit time diet quality |
| url | https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/15502783.2025.2507952 |
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